Monday, May 16, 2011

﻿I finished my sofa table over the weekend and moved it to its new home behind my ugly-ish sectional couch.

I'm excited about its new home because the table hides most of the back of the aforementioned ugly couch and will hopefully help prevent my kids cfrom limbing over the back of the furniture and wearing a hole into the cheap backing that is nothing but a giant gaping hole with fabric stretched over it. That's a big couch mess just waiting to happen, I'm genuinely surprised that it's still hole-free.

I have officially learned my lesson -- I think you get what you pay for, in couch-land. (Doesn't that sound like a wonderful place? Couch Land. I'm sure it's blissfully comfortable and quiet, with nary a popcorn kernel or sock to be found between its magical cushions.)

The next step is to decide how I want to decorate it, and as you can see I haven't put a lot of thought into that. I did pull out the essentials -- the baskets I bought earlier this year and my flying pig which was tucked back next to the TV and is now in a new, much-deserved position of honor.

That little sucker has managed to go over three years without being spray painted glossy white. Think I can keep holding out?

I also gleefully filled the baskets with my sons' toys. Now you can't even tell my kids use that area to play! Mwahahahaha. Brilliant, I tell you.

And because I'm not a big fan of basket scratches that can happen over time when you drag them along painted surfaces, I covered the bottom of each basket with a piece of felt just in case. Not sticky felt, because those were $1.99 each. Nope, I used 34-cent regular felt sheets and my trusty double-sided tape. Seriously - $8 for four sheets of felt? Apparently the adhesive on sticky felt is made of gold, or I'm totally cheap.

Ignore the dog hair on the poorly chosen black felt, okay? Nothin' to see here.

Overall, I'm happy with how the table turned out. I just need to find a lamp and start decorating.

I love the look of two lamps, one on either end, but since this table is approximately 15-feet from the black table with two lamps in my dining room, I decided it wasn't meant to be.

(If you're new or didn't see the previous posts about this table, be sure to check out part 1 and part 2 of the plans in posts, or download the entire thing as a .pdf below, if you want to put your buildin' hat on and make your own!)

(click the black box with the arrow inside in the plan preview's upper right hand corner to expand the plan into a new window)

I love your table, though I must admit, I am seriously crushing on your pig. I imagine if you have had him for 3 years, my chances of finding one are pretty small, but...WHERE DID YOU FIND HIM? I MUST find his brother.

Kurt and Kristine, I am soooo sorry to be so late in my reply. Bad Anna. The dimensions are 62 x 28.5 x 15. And it took me a couple weeks just because I'm slow and did it in my free time, but if you went to town I don't think it would take more than a few hours.

Beth, thanks for the pig love -- I got him at Tai Pan trading in Sandy, UT. I checked for a company name or any other markings that might help you out, but there's nothing! Good luck on your quest :)

Great ideas and I almost shouted because of the winged pig. I've been looking for exactly one of these for years!! Would you be so very kind and let me know where you think I can get one? I live in Portugal but I could send for it online ... thanks :)

You mention using oil based primer on the bare MDF. What type of paint to you finish with? Latex or oil? Only asking because I remember reading years ago that latex paint doesn't stick to oil based primer.

Also, what do you use the Polycrylic for? Do you use it as a final coat over the paint?

Latex paint to finish, it adheres just fine -- I think it's latex paint over oil-based paint (vs. primer) that can give you troubles, if I remember correctly. I only use oil-based primer when I need to because it's so horribly smelly - bare wood, dark old trim and wood paneling that could bleed through... unfortunately I have a lot of that around these parts ;)

And I do finish with Polycrylic, it's not as strong as a polyurethane but it's non-yellowing because it's water-based so over light paints it's perfect.

Anna We just built this table and I found the measurements right on.. I added an inch to the legs but other than that its ready to be primed and painted.. Great job for inspiring me to do this.. It looks great..

I love this! I really want to learn how to build furniture like this but I don't even know where to start. Will stores like home depot cut the wood for you? How did you get your start and learn how to do this?

Just got back from Lowes with our supplies! Lowes was willing to make the main long cut in the MDF, but no other cuts. I think it was the particular associate we were dealing with. :( But they should be able to cute it all for you. For free!! :) Praying my painting skills and hubby's carpenter skills are up to par! :)

My husband and I just made this yesterday! Only took us a few hours, directions were perfect (we did make the sides 30 inches tall to help with our over-sided furniture and as a room divider in our open kitchen/family room). I will be painting it today and can not wait to start using it! Thank you for the plans, easy directions and amazing projects! Love your site.